S'mee wrote:
> Well, I didn't get the stick blender I was angling for, but I
> did get some nice foodie stuff for Christmas. I received:
>
> A stick thermometer:
>
> http://tinyurl.com/9uefp
>
> Some new cooking softwa
>
> http://www.acrllc.com/onemillion.php
>
> And a Gizmo can opener:
>
> http://www.itsagizmo.com/index.jsp?
>
> How about the rest of you gift exchangers..?
>
>
> --
> Jani in WA (S'mee)
> ~ mom, Trollop, novice cook ~

Dad sent me a package from the Pinconning cheese store (Pinconning.com)
where we used to go to buy cheese on the way home from the cabin Up
North. Things were packed in a large round box of the sort to age
cheeses. When I have ordered from them before I could swear I talked
to the same woman who used to wait on us in the store when I was a kid.

I'm late for making enough candles to send to folks, so sent Dad a
Harry & David's set. He said that the pears were the ugliest he'd ever
seen. He read the instructions about ripening and said those pears
were damned good. I will make his candles soon, as he wants them and I
bought the scents he likes.

For us, I ordered lots of cheeses and 2 pates from igourmet.com. That
aussie Roaring Forties blue is a good one. Also, a selection of Irish
cheeses and some goudas from Holland.

My old larger cutting board is falling apart, so he got me a new one.
It was made by a guy who sometimes builds guitars and mainly writes
articles. It's made of willow, a dark wood, and has beautiful
patterns. I swear there is a cat face in the wood grain. After
Katrina, willow is getting hard to find. Another smaller cutting board
will come when it's finished. I decided to use the board for chopping
instead of looking at it.

And, there are the chocolates, cherries and cremes, and rocky road
fudge.

It will be a couple of days before the ham is down to the bone for
split pea soup. Maybe there will be macaroni and cheese with ham
tomorrow.

All in all, a nice, peaceful holiday. Hope you had the same.